Eldar Qasımov

Early Life

Eldar "Ell" Parviz oglu Gasimov was born into a family deeply rooted in the arts, being the great-grandson of renowned Azerbaijani actors Abbas Mirza Sharifzadeh and Marziyya Davudova, and the grandson of People's Artist of Azerbaijan, Firangiz Sharifova. He began his musical journey at a young age, participating in concerts across Azerbaijan and Russia. Between 2001 and 2005, he honed his skills through professional music training, learning to play the piano. Academically, he graduated from Baku Slavic University with a double major in international relations and regional geography, and he is currently pursuing graduate studies in international relations at the same institution. Fluent in Russian and German, and proficient in English, Gasimov's diverse background enriches his artistic expression.

Career

Eldar Gasimov rose to international fame as a singer when he represented Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 alongside Nigar Jamal. Competing under the pseudonym Ell & Nikki, they won the contest with their song "Running Scared," which garnered 221 points. Following their victory, the duo toured various countries, performing their winning entry. In recognition of their achievement, Azerbaijan issued 15,000 postage stamps featuring their likeness. In 2012, Gasimov released his first post-Eurovision song, "Birlikda nahayat," and co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, further solidifying his status in the music industry. His contributions to music have been recognized with several awards, including an honorary diploma from the President of Azerbaijan and the title of Man of the Year.